US20050200878A1 - Printing system having a plurality of printer drivers for different emulations - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing system includes a computer and a printer. The computer includes a plurality of printer drivers provided for different kinds of emulations, respectively. The computer compares environments of the computer and the printer and selects one of the printer drivers according to a result of the comparison. Thus, the optimum printer driver can be automatically selected for printing by the printer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/527,516 filed Mar. 16, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,891,631, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a printing system wherein image data for printing is sent from a computer to a printer so that the printer performs printing based on the image data received from the computer.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• For controlling an operation of a printer, a computer stores a printer driver which is executed on an operating system of the computer. The printer driver is software for converting image data produced by an application executed on the operating system of the computer into a printer language. There have been available printer drivers for a page description language (PDL) emulation and a host base printer (HBP) emulation. For the PDL emulation, bit-mapping of image data is carried out in a printer. On the other hand, for the HBP emulation, bit-mapping of image data is carried out in a computer.
• The printer driver for the PDL emulation converts image data from the application into a page description language and sends the converted image data and command sets to the printer. In response, a controller of the printer converts the received image data into an intermediate data format of a display list, and then converts it into bit-mapped image data matching with the print resolution of the printer.
• In the PDL emulation, the printer starts printing after receipt of one-page image data. Accordingly, a processing load of the printer driver itself is small for the PDL emulation. Further, the data transfer amount from the computer to the printer is small as compared with the HBP emulation so that the high data transfer rate is not required. On the other hand, the data processing capability required to the controller of the printer is high.
• The printer driver for the HBP emulation converts image data into bit-mapped image data matching with the print resolution of the printer, and then compresses the bit-mapped image data for sending to the printer. In response, the printer expands the compressed bit-mapped image data for printing.
• In the HBP emulation, the printer starts printing before finishing receipt of one-page image data. Specifically, the printing is implemented in parallel with receiving the image data. Accordingly, a processing load of the printer driver is quite large for the HBP emulation. Further, the data transfer amount from the computer to the printer is large as compared with the PDL emulation so that the high data transfer rate is required to follow the printing speed of the printer.
• The foregoing conventional techniques have the following problem.
• Owing to the remarkable advancement in processing capability of personal computers and the reduction in price thereof, it becomes relatively easy to achieve a high throughput required for the HBP emulation. Under the circumstances, there have appeared multi-emulation printers which can support both the PDL emulation and the HBP emulation. For effectively utilizing these printers, it is necessary to properly select a printer driver depending on various printing conditions, i.e. environments of the computers and the printers.
• For this purpose, JP-A-7-162722 discloses a technique wherein a computer receives a status signal from a printer and selects a printer driver based on information contained in the received status signal. However, the optimum printer driver changes depending on various printing conditions and thus it is practically difficult to select the optimum printer driver. Accordingly, more concrete and practical techniques for automatic printer driver selection have been demanded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved printing system that can solve the foregoing problem.
• According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising a computer and a printer, wherein the computer includes a plurality of printer drivers provided for different emulations, respectively, the computer comparing an environment of the computer and an environment of the printer to select one of the printer drivers based on a result of the comparison, the computer processing image data by the selected one of the printer drivers and sending the processed image data to the printer, and wherein the printer receives the processed image data from the computer and processes the received image data according to one of the emulations corresponding to the selected one of the printer drivers to implement printing.
• It may be arranged that the environments of the computer and the printer include a size of the image data, a free memory size of the computer for storing therein the image data, and a free memory size of the printer for storing therein the image data.
• It may be arranged that the environments of the computer and the printer include a size of the image data, a free memory size of the printer for storing therein the image data, a data transfer speed from the computer to the printer, and a paper feed speed of the printer.
• It may be arranged that the environments of the computer and the printer include a drawing speed of the computer upon drawing the image data, and a drawing speed of the printer upon drawing the image data.
• It may be arranged that the environments of the computer and the printer include an evaluation size of an intermediate metafile of the image data in the computer, and a free memory size of the printer for storing therein the image data.
• According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising a computer and a printer, the computer including a plurality of printer drivers provided for different emulations, respectively, the computer further including a computer environment determining section which determines an environment of the computer and a printer environment determining section which determines an environment of the printer based on information sent from the printer, the computer further including a printer driver selecting section which compares the environments of the computer and the printer to select one of the printer drivers based on a result of the comparison, so that image data is processed by the selected one of the printer drivers and sent to the printer, and the printer including a printer environment measuring section which measures an environment of the printer and notifies it as the information to the printer environment determining section of the computer, the printer further including an emulation judging section which judges one of the emulations corresponding to the selected one of the printer drivers, and an emulation section which processes the image data according to the judged one of the emulations for printing.
• It may be arranged that the computer environment determining section comprises a computer free memory size determining section which determines a free memory size of the computer for storing therein the image data, and the printer environment determining section comprises a printer free memory size determining section which determines a free memory size of the printer based on the information sent from the printer, that the printer driver selecting section compares a size of the image data and the free memory sizes of the computer and the printer to select one of the printer drivers based on the result of the comparison, and that the printer environment measuring section comprises a printer free memory size measuring section which measures a free memory size of the printer for storing therein the image data and notifies it as the information to the printer free memory size determining section of the computer.
• It may be arranged that the computer environment determining section comprises a computer data transfer speed determining section which determines a data transfer speed when the image data is transferred from the computer to the printer, and the printer environment determining section comprises a printer free memory size determining section which determines a free memory size of the printer based on the information sent from the printer, that the printer driver selecting section makes a comparison based on a size of the image data, the free memory size of the printer and the data transfer speed to select one of the printer drivers based on the result of the comparison, and that the printer environment measuring section comprises a printer free memory size measuring section which measures a free memory size of the printer for storing therein the image data and notifies it as the information to the printer free memory size determining section of the computer.
• It may be arranged that the computer environment determining section comprises a computer drawing capability determining section which determines a drawing speed of the computer upon drawing the image data, and the printer environment determining section comprises a printer drawing capability determining section which determines a drawing speed of the printer based on the information sent from the printer, that the printer driver selecting section compares the drawing speed of the computer and the drawing speed of the printer to select one of the printer drivers based on the result of the comparison, and that the printer environment measuring section comprises a printer drawing speed measuring section which measures a drawing speed of the printer upon drawing the image data and notifies it as the information to the printer drawing capability determining section of the computer.
• It may be arranged that the computer environment determining section comprises an intermediate metafile analyzing section which derives an evaluation size of an intermediate metafile of the image data, and the printer environment determining section comprises a printer free memory size determining section which determines a free memory size of the printer based on the information sent from the printer, that the printer driver selecting section compares the evaluation size of the intermediate metafile and the free memory size of the printer to select one of the printer drivers based on the result of the comparison, and that the printer environment measuring section comprises a printer free memory size measuring section which measures a free memory size of the printer for storing therein the image data and notifies it as the information to the printer free memory size determining section of the computer.
• It may be arranged that the number of the printer drivers is two, that according to one of the printer drivers, the printing system is controlled such that one-page image data is sent from the computer to the printer, then the printer implements bit-mapping of the received image data for printing, and that according to the other printer driver, the printing system is controlled such that bit-mapped image data is sent from the computer to the printer which implements printing in parallel with receiving the bit-mapped image data from the computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinbelow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
• In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 2, 3 and4 are flow diagrams representing an operation sequence of the printing system shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 6, 7 and8 are flow diagrams representing an operation sequence of the printing system shown inFIG. 5;
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 10, 12 and13 are flow diagrams representing an operation sequence of the printing system shown inFIG. 9;
• FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a drawing capability determining method according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 15, 16 and18 are flow diagrams representing an operation sequence of the printing system shown inFIG. 14; and
• FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating an evaluation size of an intermediate metafile according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• InFIG. 1, image data for printing is sent from acomputer10 to aprinter20 via abidirectional interface30, so that theprinter20 implements printing of the received image data.
• Thecomputer10 includes anapplication11, anoperating system12, amemory13, a computer free memorysize determining section14, a printerdriver selecting section15, a printer free memorysize determining section16, acommand generating section17 and aport driver18. Thecomputer10 further includesprinter drivers1, i.e. aPDL printer driver3 and anHBP printer driver5 in this embodiment.
• Theprinter20 includes aninterface processing section21, acommand analyzing section22, anemulation judging section23, a printer free memorysize measuring section24, amemory25, aprinter engine26, an imagedata producing section27 and a printstart control section28. Theprinter20 further includes aPDL emulation section7 and anHBP emulation section9. In this embodiment, theprinter20 is an LED type electrophotographic printer having the print resolution of, for example, 600 [dpi] (dot per inch) in each of the main and secondary scanning directions.
• Thebidirectional interface30 is a well-known interface such as IEEE1284.
• InFIG. 1, functions of thesections14 to17 are realized by an operation control program executed in thecomputer10, while functions of thesections7,9,22 to24,27 and28 are realized by an operation control program executed in theprinter20.
• In thecomputer10, theapplication11 is a program executed on theoperating system12 for producing image data. The image data may include character data and graphic data. Thememory13 is a storage area for storing therein image data upon request for printing. The computer free memorysize determining section14 determines a free memory size of thememory13 upon storing image data thereinto. The free memory size represents the capacity of nonused storage areas in thememory13.
• In this embodiment, two kinds of the printer drivers, i.e. thePDL printer driver3 and theHBP printer driver5, are provided in thecomputer10, while the number thereof may be more than two.
• According to thePDL printer driver3, the printing system is controlled such that one-page image data is transferred from thecomputer10 to theprinter20, then theprinter20 implements bit-mapping of the received image data for printing. On the other hand, according to theHBP printer driver5, the printing system is controlled such that bit-mapped image data is transferred from thecomputer10 to theprinter20 which implements printing in parallel with receiving the bit-mapped image data from thecomputer10.
• The printerdriver selecting section15 compares a size of image data and free memory sizes of thecomputer10 and theprinter20 to select one of thePDL printer driver3 and theHBP printer driver5 based on a selection rule preset corresponding to a result of the comparison and sets the selected printer driver for execution. The printer free memorysize determining section16 determines the free memory size of theprinter20 when it is notified from theprinter20, and feeds it to the printerdriver selecting section15. Thecommand generating section17 produces a command which is used by the printerdriver selecting section15 to acquire information of the free memory size from theprinter20, and other commands for other uses. Theport driver18 controls communication with theprinter20 via thebidirectional interface30.
• In theprinter20, theinterface processing section21 controls communication with thecomputer10 via thebidirectional interface30. Thecommand analyzing section22 analyzes the contents of a command received from thecomputer10 and outputs a control signal to a corresponding section. The free memorysize measuring section24 measures the free memory size of thememory25 for storing image data therein and notifies it to the printer free memorysize determining section16 of thecomputer10. Theemulation judging section23 judges the kind of the emulation, i.e. the kind of the printer driver, selected by thecomputer10. One of thePDL emulation section7 and theHBP emulation section9 is selected based on a result of the judgment made by theemulation judging section23 for processing image data according to the selected emulation. The imagedata producing section27 performs a drawing process to produce print image data and stores the print image data into thememory25. The printstart control section28 controls theprinter engine26 to implement printing of the print image data stored in thememory25.
• [Operation]
• In this embodiment, the size of image data and the free memory sizes of thecomputer10 and theprinter20 are compared with each other and, based on a selection rule preset corresponding to the comparison result, one of theprinter drivers3 and5 is selected.
• FIGS. 2, 3 and4 are flow diagrams showing an operation sequence of the printing system according to the first preferred embodiment.
• With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, selection of the printer driver in thecomputer10 and an operation sequence of theprinter20 will be described hereinbelow.
• (Step S1)
• For printing, a user inputs a print command which is fed to theoperating system12 of thecomputer10 via theapplication11 being executed on theoperating system12.
• (Step S2)
• Theoperating system12 feeds the print command to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• (Step S3)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 obtains from the command generating section17 a command for inquiring a free memory size of theprinter20, and commands theport driver18 to send the inquiry command to theprinter20.
• (Step S4)
• Theport driver18 sends the inquiry command to theprinter20 via thebidirectional interface30.
• (Step S5)
• Theprinter20 receives the inquiry command at theinterface processing section21 and decodes it at thecommand analyzing section22.
• (Step S6)
• Thecommand analyzing section22 judges whether the received command is for inquiring the free memory size of thememory25.
• (Step S7)
• If positive at step S6, the free memorysize measuring section24 produces a status signal indicative of the free memory size of theprinter20 and feeds it to theinterface processing section21.
• (Step S8)
• Theinterface processing section21 sends the status signal received from the free memorysize measuring section24 to thecomputer10 via thebidirectional interface30.
• (Step S9)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 commands the printer free memorysize determining section16 to decode the status signal received via theport driver18.
• (Step S10)
• If the contents of the status signal represent the free memory size of theprinter20, the operation sequence proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if negative, the operation sequence proceeds to execution of another process (not shown) corresponding to the contents of the status signal.
• (Step S11)
• The printer free memorysize determining section16 stores the printer free memory size as PrMemSize and notifies it to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• (Step S12)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 commands the computer free memorysize determining section14 to measure the free memory size of thememory13 and notify it to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• (Step S13)
• The computer free memorysize determining section14 stores the measured free memory size as PcMemSize and notifies it to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• (Step S14)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 selects one of thePDL printer driver3 and theHBP printer driver5 based on the free memory size PrMemSize of theprinter20 and the free memory size PcMemSize of thecomputer10 and sets it for execution.
• (Step S15)
• Theoperating system12 commands the selected printer driver to read image data produced by theapplication11 and stored in thememory13.
• (Step S16)
• The selected printer driver converts the image data read from thememory13 into a printer language for the corresponding emulation.
• (Step S17)
• Theport driver18 transfers the image data in the printer language to theprinter20.
• (Step S18)
• Theprinter20 decodes at thecommand analyzing section22 the image data received by theinterface processing section21 via thebidirectional interface30.
• (Step S19)
• Thecommand analyzing section22 judges whether the received data is a command. If positive, theprinter20 carries out another process (not shown) corresponding to the command.
• (Step S20)
• If the received data is not a command, theemulation judging section23 judges whether the received data is converted for the PDL emulation or the HBP emulation.
• (Step S21)
• If the received data is for the PDL emulation, theemulation judging section23 feeds the image data to thePDL emulation section7 where the image data is processed for the PDL emulation.
• (Step S22)
• If the received data is for the HBP emulation, theemulation judging section23 feeds the image data to theHBP emulation section9 where the image data is processed for the HBP emulation.
• (Step S23)
• The imagedata producing section27 receives the image data processed at thePDL emulation section7 or theHBP emulation section9 to produce print image data from the received image data and writes it into thememory25.
• (Step S24)
• The printstart control section28 activates theprinter engine26 and transfers the print image data from thememory25 to theprinter engine26 where printing of the print image data is implemented.
• Now, the printer driver selection sequence executed at step S14 inFIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 4.
• (Step S30)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 obtains the horizontal print resolution H_PrintRes[dpi] (dot per inch) and the vertical print resolution V_PrintRes[dpi] designated by theapplication11.
• (Step S31)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 obtains the horizontal print paper size H_PrintSize[inch] and the vertical print paper size V_PrintSize[inch] designated by theapplication11.
• (Step S32)
• When the image data is compressed at the compression rate CompRate (the rate of a data size after compression relative to the original data size), the printerdriver selecting section15 calculates an image data size ImageDataSize[byte] necessary for printing based on the horizontal print resolution H_PrintRes[dpi], the vertical print resolution V_PrintRes[dpi], the horizontal print paper size H_PrintSize[inch] and the vertical print paper size V_PrintSize[inch], using the following equation.
  ImageDataSize=(H_—PrintRes·H_—PrintSize/8)·(V_—PrintRes·V_—PrintSize)·CompRate
• For example, as described before, theprinter20 has the print resolution of 600 [dpi] in each of the main and secondary scanning directions. Thus, assuming that the print paper size is that of U.S. letter paper and the compression rate CompRate is 0.7, the image data size is given by the following equation.
  ImageDataSize=(600 [dpi]·8 [inch]/8 [bit])·(600 [dpi]·10.67 [inch])·0.7≈2625 [Kbyte]
  (Step S33)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 compares the free memory size PcMemSize of thecomputer10 and the image data size ImageDataSize.
• (Step S34)
• If PcMemSize is greater than ImageDataSize, one-page image data can be stored in thememory13 of thecomputer10 so that the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the HBP emulation, i.e. theHBP printer driver5.
• (Step S35)
• If PcMemSize is not greater than ImageDataSize, the printerdriver selecting section15 compares the free memory size PrMemSize of theprinter20 and ImageDataSize.
• If PrMemSize is greater than ImageDataSize, one-page image data can be stored in thememory25 of theprinter20 so that the operation sequence proceeds to step S34 where the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the HBP emulation, i.e. theHBP printer driver5.
• (Step S36)
• If PrMemSize is not greater than ImageDataSize, the printerdriver selecting section15 compares PcMemSize and PrMemSize.
• If PcMemSize is greater than PrMemSize, the operation sequence proceeds to step S34 where the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the HBP emulation, i.e. theHBP printer driver5.
• (Step S37)
• If PcMemSize is not greater than PrMemSize, the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the PDL emulation, i.e. thePDL printer driver3.
• Thecomputer10 may be a personal computer, a workstation, a word processor or one of other devices that can send image data to a printer and control the printer to print the received image data. Theprinter20 may be one of various types that can be operated by two or more kinds of printer drivers, wherein a proper selection rule is provided for each of the printer drivers as in the foregoing first preferred embodiment.
• [Effect]
• In the foregoing first preferred embodiment, the image data size and the free memory sizes of the computer and the printer are compared, i.e. the environments of the computer and the printer are compared, and one of the two printer drivers is selected based on the selection rule provided corresponding to the comparison result. Thus, the optimum printer driver can be automatically selected depending on the environments of the computer and the printer.
Second Embodiment
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• In this embodiment, aprinter20 is an LED type electrophotographic printer having, for example, the print resolution of 600 [dpi] in each of the main and secondary scanning directions and a paper feed speed of 2 [ips] (inch per second) in the vertical direction.
• InFIG. 5, acomputer10 differs from thecomputer10 inFIG. 1 in that a computer data transferspeed determining section35 and atimer36 are added, while the computer free memorysize determining section14 is omitted. Theprinter20 inFIG. 5 is the same as theprinter20 inFIG. 1. Hereinbelow, what differs from the foregoing first preferred embodiment will be described.
• The computer data transferspeed determining section35 uses theport driver18 and thetimer36 to measure a data transfer speed when image data is transferred from thecomputer10 to theprinter20. In this embodiment, the printerdriver selecting section15 compares between the computer data transfer speed and the printer paper feed speed and between the image data size and the printer free memory size to select one of thePDL printer driver3 and theHBP printer driver5 based on a selection rule preset corresponding to a result of the comparison and sets the selected printer driver for execution.
• [Operation]
• FIGS. 6, 7 and8 are flow diagrams showing an operation sequence of the printing system according to the second preferred embodiment.
• With reference toFIG. 6, selection of the printer driver in thecomputer10 and an operation sequence of theprinter20 will be described hereinbelow.
• In this embodiment, the printing system first executes steps S1 to S11 shown inFIG. 2 as in the foregoing first preferred embodiment. The following operation sequence is implemented subsequently to the execution of step S11.
• (Step S40)
• For calculating a data transfer speed of thebidirectional interface30, the printerdriver selecting section15 obtains dummy data which is meaningless to theprinter20, from thecommand generating section17, and commands theport driver18 to send the dummy data to theprinter20. The printerdriver selecting section15 sets a size of the dummy data as DummySize[byte].
• (Step S41)
• Theport driver18 starts thetimer36 and sends the dummy data to theprinter20 via thebidirectional interface30.
• (Step S42)
• Theprinter20 receives the dummy data at theinterface processing section21 and decodes it at thecommand analyzing section22.
• (Step S43)
• Thecommand analyzing section22 judges whether the received data is the dummy data, and ignores it when it is the dummy data.
• (Step S44)
• After sending all the dummy data, theport driver18 stops thetimer36 and sets a timer value as PcTransTime[μs].
• (Step S45)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 calculates a data transfer speed PcTransSpeed[byte/sec] based on the dummy data size DummySize[byte] and the timer value PcTransTime[ps].
• (Step S46)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 selects one of thePDL printer driver3 and theHBP printer driver5 based on the printer free memory size PrMemSize and the data transfer speed PcTransSpeed, and sets it for execution.
• Since a subsequent operation sequence is the same as that of steps S15 to S24 shown inFIG. 3, explanation thereof is omitted.
• Now, the printer driver selection sequence executed at step S46 inFIG. 6 will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8.
• (Step S50)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 obtains the horizontal print resolution H_PrintRes[dpi] and the vertical print resolution V_PrintRes[dpi] designated by theapplication11.
• (Step S51)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 obtains the horizontal print paper size H_PrintSize[inch] and the vertical print paper size V_PrintSize[inch] designated by theapplication11.
• (Step S52)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 calculates a horizontal image data size H_ImageSize[byte] based on the compression rate CompRate (the rate of a data size after compression relative to the original data size), the horizontal print resolution H_PrintRes[dpi] and the horizontal print paper size H_PrintSize[inch], using the following equation.
  H_—ImageSize=(H_—PrintRes·H_—PrintSize/8)·CompRate
  (Step S53)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 calculates an image data size ImageDataSize[byte] necessary for printing based on the horizontal image data size H_ImageSize[byte], the vertical print resolution V_PrintRes[dpi] and the vertical print paper size V_PrintSize[inch], using the following equation.
  ImageDataSize=H_—ImageSize·(V_—PrintRes·V_—PrintSize)
  (Step S54)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 calculates an image data transfer time per raster line H_TransTime[ms] based on the data transfer speed PcTransSpeed[byte/sec] and the horizontal image data size H_ImageSize[byte], using the following equation.
  H_—TransTime=(H_—ImageSize/PcTransSpeed)·1000
  (Step S55)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 calculates a paper feed time per raster line H_PrintTime[ms] based on a paper feed speed EngineSpeed[ips] and the vertical print resolution V_PrintRes[dpi], using the following equation.
  H_—PrintTime=EngineSpeed·(1/V_—PrintRes)·1000
  (Step S56)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 calculates a paper feed time per page PrintTime[sec] based on the paper feed speed EngineSpeed[ips] and the vertical print paper size V_PrintSize[inch], using the following equation.
  PrintTime=V_—PrintSize/EngineSpeed
  (Step S57)
• Assuming that theprinter20 starts printing from the state wherein image data corresponding to a portion of one-page image data is stored up to the free memory size of theprinter20 and that theprinter20 simultaneously receives remaining image data (image data corresponding to a remaining portion of the one-page image data), an image data size S[byte] stored in thememory25 of theprinter20 after a lapse of time t[sec] is calculated based on the printer free memory size PrMemSize[byte], the horizontal image data size H_ImageSize[byte] and the paper feed time per raster line H_PrintTime[ms], using the following equation.
  S=PrMemSize−(H_—PrintTime·PcTransSpeed−H_—ImageSize)·t/H_—PrintTime
• Here, a time EmptyTime[sec] representing a time until areas of thememory25 storing the image data become empty is given by a value of t when S=0. Accordingly, the printerdriver selecting section15 calculates the time EmptyTime[sec] based on the following equation.
  EmptyTime=PrMemSize·(H_—PrintTime/1000)/(H_—PrintTime/1000·PcTransSpeed−H_—ImageSize)
  (Step S58)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 compares the pager feed time per raster line H_PrintTime[ms] and the image data transfer time per raster line H_TransTime[ms].
• If H_PrintTime is greater than H_TransTime, meaning that image data can be sent to theprinter20 without causing an underrun error during printing, the operation sequence proceeds to step S62 where the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the HBP emulation, i.e. theHBP printer driver5.
• (Step S59)
• If H_PrintTime is not greater than H_TransTime, the printerdriver selecting section15 compares the free memory size PrMemSize of theprinter20 and the mage data size ImageDataSize.
• If PrMemSize is greater than ImageDataSize, meaning that one-page image data can be stored in thememory25 of theprinter20, the operation sequence proceeds to step S62 where the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the HBP emulation, i.e. theHBP printer driver5.
• (Step S60)
• If PrMemSize is not greater than ImageDataSize, the printerdriver selecting section15 compares the time EmptyTime[sec] and the paper feed time per page PrintTime[sec].
• If EmptyTime is greater than PrintTime, meaning that reception of one-page image data is finished during PrintTime, the operation sequence proceeds to step S62 where the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the HBP emulation, i.e. theHBP printer driver5.
• (Step S61)
• If EmptyTime is not greater than PrintTime, the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the PDL emulation, i.e. thePDL printer driver3.
• For example, it is assumed that the paper feed speed EngineSpeed is 2 [ips], the horizontal print resolution H_PrintRes and the vertical print resolution V_PrintRes are each 600 [dpi], the horizontal print paper size H_PrintSize is 8 [inch], the vertical print paper size V_PrintSize is 10.67 [inch], the compression rate CompRate is 0.7, the printer free memory size PrMemSize is 1024[Kbyte], the dummy data size DummySize is 128 [Kbyte] and the timer value (data transfer time) PcTransTime is 0.5 [sec].
• Since CompRate=0.7, the horizontal image data size H_ImageSize[byte] is given by$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{H\_ImageSize}=\left(\mathrm{H\_PrintRes}·\mathrm{H\_PrintSize}/8\right)·\mathrm{CompRate}\\ =\left(600\left[\mathrm{dpi}\right]·8\left[\mathrm{inch}\right]/8\left[\mathrm{bit}\right]\right)·0.7\\ =420\left[\mathrm{byte}\right]\end{array}$
• The image data size ImageDataSize[byte] is given by$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{ImageDataSize}=\mathrm{H\_ImageSize}·\left(\mathrm{V\_PrintRes}·\mathrm{V\_PrintSize}\right)\\ =420\left[\mathrm{byte}\right]·\left(600\left[\mathrm{dpi}\right]·10.67\left[\mathrm{inch}\right]\right)\\ =2\text{,}688\text{,}840\left[\mathrm{byte}\right]\end{array}$
• Since DummySize=128·1024 [byte] and PcTransTime=0.5[sec], the data transfer speed PcTransSpeed is given by$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PcTransSpeed}=\mathrm{DummySize}/\mathrm{PcTransTime}\\ =128·1024\left[\mathrm{byte}\right]/0.5\left[\sec \right]\\ =262\text{,}144\left[\mathrm{byte}\text{/}\sec \right]\end{array}$
• The mage data transfer time per raster line H_TransTime[ms] is given by$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{H\_TransTime}=\left(\mathrm{H\_ImageSize}/\mathrm{PcTransSpeed}\right)·1000\\ =420\left[\mathrm{byte}\right]/262\text{,}144\left[\mathrm{byte}\text{/}\sec \right])·1000\\ \approx 1.60\left[\mathrm{ms}\right]\end{array}$
• The paper feed time per raster line H_PrintTime[ms] is given by$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{H\_PrintTime}=\mathrm{EngineSpeed}·\left(1/\mathrm{V\_PrintRes}\right)·1000\\ =2·\left(1/600\right)·1000\\ \approx 3.33\left[\mathrm{ms}\right]\end{array}$
• The paper feed time per page PrintTime[sec] is given by$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PrintTime}=\mathrm{V\_PrintSize}/\mathrm{EngineSpeed}\\ =10.67/2\\ =5.335\left[\sec \right]\end{array}$
• The time EmptyTime[sec] is given by$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{EmptyTime}=\mathrm{PrMemSize}·\left(\mathrm{H\_PrintTime}/1000\right)/(\mathrm{H\_PrintTime}/1000·\\ \mathrm{PcTransSpeed}-\mathrm{H\_ImageSize})\\ =1024·1024·\left(3.33/1000\right)/\left(3.33/1000·262144-420\right)\\ \approx 7.65\left[\sec \right]\end{array}$
• Accordingly, in this example, since EmptyTime=7.65 [sec] and PrintTime=5.335 [sec], EmptyTime is greater than PrintTime so that the printerdriver selecting section15 selects the HBP emulation, i.e. theHBP printer driver5.
• [Effect]
• In the foregoing second preferred embodiment, the comparison is made between the computer data transfer speed and the printer paper feed speed and between the image data size and the printer free memory size, i.e. the comparison is made between the environments of the computer and the printer, and one of the two printer drivers is selected based on the selection rule provided corresponding to the comparison result. Thus, the optimum printer driver can be automatically selected depending on the environments of the computer and the printer.
Third Embodiment
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• InFIG. 9, acomputer10 differs from thecomputer10 inFIG. 5 in that a printer drawingcapability determining section37 and a computer drawingcapability determining section38 are added while the printer free memorysize determining section16 and the computer data transferspeed determining section35 shown inFIG. 5 are omitted. Aprinter20 inFIG. 9 differs from theprinter20 inFIG. 5 in that a printer drawingtime measuring section43 and aprinter timer44 are added while the free memorysize measuring section24 shown inFIG. 5 is omitted. Hereinbelow, what differs from the foregoing second preferred embodiment will be described.
• The computer drawingcapability determining section38 uses atimer36 to determine a drawing speed of thecomputer10 upon drawing image data. The printer drawingcapability determining section37 determines a drawing speed of theprinter20 based on a status signal sent from theprinter20. In this embodiment, the printerdriver selecting section15 compares the drawing speed of thecomputer10 and the drawing speed of theprinter20 to select one of thePDL printer driver3 and theHBP printer driver5 based on a selection rule preset corresponding to a result of the comparison and sets the selected printer driver for execution. The printer drawingtime measuring section43 uses theprinter timer44 to measure a drawing time of theprinter20 upon drawing image data and notifies it to the printer drawingcapability determining section37 of thecomputer10.
• [Operation]
• FIGS. 10, 12 and13 are flow diagrams showing an operation sequence of the printing system according to the third preferred embodiment.
• With reference toFIG. 10, selection of the printer driver in thecomputer10 and an operation sequence of theprinter20 will be described hereinbelow.
• In this embodiment, the printing system first executes steps S1 to S5 shown inFIG. 2 except that at step S3 the printerdriver selecting section15 obtains from the command generating section17 a command for inquiring the drawing capability of theprinter20 instead of the free memory size thereof. The following operation sequence is implemented subsequently to the execution of step S5.
• (Step S70)
• Theprinter20 judges at thecommand analyzing section22 whether the command received from thecomputer10 is for inquiring the drawing capability of theprinter20.
• (Step S71)
• If positive at step S70, the printer drawingtime measuring section43 performs a drawing process, measures a drawing time using theprinter timer44 and produces a status signal indicative of the drawing time.
• On the other hand, if negative at step S70, the operation sequence proceeds to execution of another process (not shown) according to the contents of the command.
• (Step S72)
• Theinterface processing section21 sends the status signal received from the printer drawingtime measuring section43 to thecomputer10 via thebidirectional interface30.
• (Step S73)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 commands the printer drawingcapability determining section37 to decode the status signal received via theport driver18.
• (Step S74)
• The printer drawingcapability determining section37 judges whether the contents of the status signal represent a drawing time of theprinter20. If negative, the operation sequence proceeds to execution of another process (not shown) corresponding to the contents of the status signal.
• (Step S75)
• If the contents of the status signal represent the printer drawing time, the printer drawingcapability determining section37 stores it as PrDrawTime[sec] and notifies it to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• (Step S76)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 commands the computer drawingcapability determining section38 to measure the drawing capability of thecomputer10.
• (Step S77)
• The computer drawingcapability determining section38 measures a computer drawing time using thetimer36, stores it as PcDrawTime[sec] and notifies it to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• (Step S78)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 compares the printer drawing time PrDrawTime and the computer drawing time PcDrawTime.
• (Step S79)
• If PrDrawTime is smaller than PcDrawTime, the printerdriver selecting section15 judges that the drawing capability of theprinter20 excels that of thecomputer10, and selects thePDL printer driver3.
• (Step S80)
• If PrDrawTime is not smaller than PcDrawTime, the printerdriver selecting section15 judges that the drawing capability of thecomputer10 excels that of theprinter20, and selects theHBP printer driver5.
• Since a subsequent operation sequence is the same as that of steps S15 to S24 shown inFIG. 3, explanation thereof is omitted.
• FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a drawing capability determining method.
• Concrete examples for evaluating the drawing capabilities of thecomputer10 and theprinter20 will be given with respect to the operating system MS-Windows produced by Microsoft Corporation.
• The image drawing capabilities defined by GDI (graphic device interface) of MS-Windows are classified into six categories as shown inFIG. 11.
• By selecting typical ten drawing functions from the six categories as objects for evaluation and evaluating the sum of drawing times thereof, the total image drawing capability can be measured.
• Referring now toFIG. 12, an operation sequence of the printer drawingtime measuring section43 of theprinter20 will be described.
• According to the operation sequence shown inFIG. 12, the printer drawing time PrDrawTime stored at step S75 inFIG. 10 can be calculated by the following equation.$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PrDrawTime}=\mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{CC\_CIRCLE}\right)+\mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{LC\_POLYSCANLINE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{LC\_STYLED}\right)+\mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{PC\_RECTANGLE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{PC\_WINDPOLYGON}\right)+\mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{TC\_RA}\mathrm{\_ABLE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{TC\_CR}\_90\right)+\mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{CP\_RECTANGLE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{RC\_BITBLT}\right)+\mathrm{Pr}\left(\mathrm{RC\_STRETCHDIB}\right)\end{array}$
• In the equation, Pr( ) functions represent processing times of the respective drawing functions of theprinter20 shown inFIG. 11.
• Specifically, steps S90 to S99 inFIG. 12 correspond to drawing capability calculations at items (1) to (10) shown inFIG. 11.
• At step S90, a time for drawing a circle representing the curve drawing capability is measured and set as Time. At step S91, a drawing time for a scanline representing the line drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• At step S92, a drawing time for a styled line representing the line drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• At step S93, a drawing time for a rectangle representing the polygon drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• At step S94, a drawing time for the whole-area paint-out of a polygon representing the polygon drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• At step S95, a drawing time for a raster font representing the text drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• At step S96, a drawing time for character rotation by 90 degrees representing the text drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• At step S97, a drawing time for clipping a rectangle representing the clipping drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• At step S98, a drawing time for bit-map transfer representing the raster drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• At step S99, a drawing time for stretching/contraction of DIB bit-map representing the raster drawing capability is measured and added to Time.
• After execution of step S99, Time is set as PrDrawTime.
• Referring now toFIG. 13, an operation sequence of the computer drawingcapability determining section38 of thecomputer10 will be described.
• According to the operation sequence shown inFIG. 13, the computer drawing time PcDrawTime stored at step S77 inFIG. 10 can be calculated by the following equation.$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PcDrawTime}=\mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{CC\_CIRCLE}\right)+\mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{LC\_POLYSCANLINE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{LC\_STYLED}\right)+\mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{PC\_RECTANGLE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{PC\_WINDPOLYGON}\right)+\mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{TC\_RA}\mathrm{\_ABLE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{TC\_CR}\_90\right)+\mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{CP\_RECTANGLE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{RC\_BITBLT}\right)+\mathrm{Pc}\left(\mathrm{RC\_STRETCHDIB}\right)\end{array}$
• In the equation, Pc( ) functions represent processing times of the respective drawing functions of thecomputer10 shown inFIG. 11.
• As appreciated, steps S100 to S109 inFIG. 13 correspond to drawing capability calculations at items (1) to (10) shown inFIG. 11 and are the same as steps S90 to S99 inFIG. 12.
• After execution of step S109, Time is set as PcDrawTime at step S110.
• [Effect]
• In the foregoing third preferred embodiment, the drawing capability of the computer and the drawing capability of the printer are compared, i.e. the environments of the computer and the printer are compared, and one of the two printer drivers is selected based on the selection rule provided corresponding to the comparison result. Thus, the optimum printer driver can be automatically selected depending on the environments of the computer and the printer.
Fourth Embodiment
• FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• In this embodiment, aprinter20 is an LED type electrophotographic printer having, for example, the print resolution of 600[dpi] in each of the main and secondary scanning directions and a paper feed speed of 2[ips] in the vertical direction.
• InFIG. 14, acomputer10 differs from thecomputer10 inFIG. 5 in that an intermediatemetafile analyzing section45 and anintermediate metafile46 are added while the computer data transferspeed determining section35 and thetimer36 shown inFIG. 5 are omitted. Aprinter20 inFIG. 14 is the same as theprinter20 inFIG. 5. Hereinbelow, what differs from the foregoing second preferred embodiment will be described.
• In this embodiment, upon requesting printing of image data, theapplication11 produces a print command and theintermediate metafile46 of the image data. The intermediatemetafile analyzing section45 derives an evaluation size of theintermediate metafile46. The printerdriver selecting section15 compares the free memory size of theprinter20 and the evaluation size of theintermediate metafile46 to select one of thePDL printer driver3 and theHBP printer driver5 based on a selection rule preset corresponding to a result of the comparison and sets the selected printer driver for execution.
• [Operation]
• FIGS. 15, 16 and18 are flow diagrams showing an operation sequence of the printing system according to the fourth preferred embodiment.
• With reference toFIGS. 15 and 16, selection of the printer driver in thecomputer10 and an operation sequence of theprinter20 will be described hereinbelow.
• (Step S120)
• For printing, a user inputs a print command which is fed to theoperating system12 of thecomputer10 via theapplication11 being executed on theoperating system12.
• (Step S121)
• Theapplication11 stores produced image data in the form of theintermediate metafile46.
• (Step S122)
• Theoperating system12 feeds the print command to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• (Step S123)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 obtains from the command generating section17 a command for inquiring a free memory size of theprinter20, and commands theport driver18 to send the inquiry command to theprinter20.
• (Step S124)
• Theport driver18 sends the inquiry command to theprinter20 via thebidirectional interface30.
• (Step S125)
• Theprinter20 receives the inquiry command at theinterface processing section21 and decodes it at thecommand analyzing section22.
• (Step S126)
• Thecommand analyzing section22 judges whether the received command is for inquiring the free memory size of thememory25.
• (Step S127)
• If positive at step S126, the free memorysize measuring section24 derives a status signal indicative of the free memory size of theprinter20 and feeds it to theinterface processing section21.
• (Step S128)
• Theinterface processing section21 sends the status signal received from the free memorysize measuring section24 to thecomputer10 via thebidirectional interface30.
• (Step S129)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 commands the printer free memorysize determining section16 to decode the status signal received via theport driver18.
• (Step S130)
• The printer free memorysize determining section16 judges whether the contents of the status signal represent the free memory size of theprinter20. If negative, the operation sequence proceeds to execution of another process (not shown) corresponding to the contents of the status signal.
• (Step S131)
• If the contents of the status signal represent the free memory size of theprinter20, the printer free memorysize determining section16 stores it as PrMemSize and notifies it to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• Then, the operation sequence proceeds to step S132 inFIG. 16.
• (Step S132)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 commands the intermediatemetafile analyzing section45 to analyze the contents of theintermediate metafile46 produced by theapplication11.
• (Step S133)
• The intermediatemetafile analyzing section45 analyzes the contents of the image data stored in theintermediate metafile46 to store a result of the analysis as intermediate metafile information PcMetalnfo and notifies it to the printerdriver selecting section15.
• (Step S134)
• The printerdriver selecting section15 compares the printer free memory size PrMemSize and the intermediate metafile information PcMetalnfo.
• (Step S135)
• If PrMemSize is greater than PcMetalnfo, the printerdriver selecting section15 judges that theprinter20 can implement printing normally without causing a page buffer overflow in response to receipt of PDL commands, and selects thePDL printer driver3.
• (Step S136)
• If PrMemSize is not greater than PeMetaInfo, the printerdriver selecting section15 judges that theprinter20 may cause a page buffer overflow in response to receipt of PDL commands, and selects theHBP printer driver5.
• Since a subsequent operation sequence is the same as that of steps S15 to S24 shown inFIG. 3, explanation thereof is omitted.
• At step S133 inFIG. 16, the intermediatemetafile analyzing section45 evaluates the contents of theintermediate metafile46 using PDL commands, which will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 17 and 18.
• FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a metafile evaluation size calculation method, wherein image drawing functions stored in theintermediate metafile46 are evaluated with respect to PDL commands of seven kinds. Based on evaluation sizes with respect to these PDL commands, the total evaluation size PcMetalnfo of the wholeintermediate metafile46 can be derived.
• FIG. 18 shows an operation sequence for calculating the total evaluation size PcMetalnfo. InFIG. 18, a metafile evaluation size is initialized at step S140, then the contents of theintermediate metafile46 are classified as shown inFIG. 17 so that steps S142 to S148 are executed in sequence to derive the total evaluation size PcMetalnfo. After adding the evaluation sizes with respect to all the PDL commands, the operation sequence is finished (Yes at step S149).
• The total metafile evaluation size PcMetalnfo is calculated by the following equation.$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PcMetaInfo}=\mathrm{Count}\left(\mathrm{TEXT}\right)·\mathrm{Size}\left(\mathrm{TEXT}\right)+\mathrm{Count}\left(\mathrm{LINE}\right)·\mathrm{Size}\left(\mathrm{LINE}\right)+\\ \mathrm{Count}\left(\mathrm{CIRCLE}\right)·\mathrm{Size}\left(\mathrm{CIRCLE}\right)+\mathrm{Count}\left(\mathrm{CURVE}\right)·\\ \mathrm{Size}\left(\mathrm{CURVE}\right)+\mathrm{Count}\left(\mathrm{PIXEL}\right)·\mathrm{Size}\left(\mathrm{PIXEL}\right)+\\ \Sigma \left(\mathrm{IMAGE}\right)·\mathrm{Size}\left(\mathrm{IMAGE}\right)+\mathrm{Count}\left(\mathrm{DUMMY}\right)·\\ \mathrm{Size}\left(\mathrm{DUMMY}\right)\end{array}$
• For example, it is assumed that the printer free memory size PrMemSize stored at step S1131 inFIG. 15 is 1024 [Kbyte] and that the contents of theintermediate metafile46 are as follows.
• • Number of Times of Text Drawing=2400
  • Number of Times of Line Drawing=100
  • Number of Times of Circle Drawing=2
  • Number of Times of Curve Drawing=20
  • Number of Times of Pixel Drawing=4000
  • Number of Times of Image Data Drawing=10
  • Number of Times of Drawing Others=200
• In this case, using the foregoing equation, the total metafile evaluation size PcMetalnfo is given by$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PcMetaInfo}=2400·52+100·14+2·14+20·18+4000·6+\\ 10·40·1024+200·40\\ =124800+1400+28+360+24000+409600+8000\\ =568188\left[\mathrm{byte}\right]\end{array}$
• From the foregoing result, PrMemSize is greater than PcMetalnfo so that the PDL printer driver is selected.
• [Effect]
• In the foregoing fourth preferred embodiment, the evaluation size of the intermediate metafile and the free memory size of the printer are compared, i.e. the environments of the computer and the printer are compared, and one of the two printer drivers is selected based on the selection rule provided corresponding to the comparison result. Thus, the optimum printer driver can be automatically selected depending on the environments of the computer and the printer.
• While the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments, the invention is not to be limited thereto, but can be embodied in various ways without departing from the principle of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1-5. (canceled)

6. A printing system comprising a computer and a printer,

said computer including a plurality of printer drivers provided for different emulations, respectively, said computer further including a computer environment determining section which determines an environment of said computer and a printer environment determining section which determines an environment of said printer based on information sent from said printer, said computer further including a printer driver selecting section which compares the environments of said computer and said printer to select one of said printer drivers based on a result of the comparison, so that image data is processed by said selected one of said printer drivers and sent to said printer, and

said printer including a printer environment measuring section which measures an environment of said printer and notifies it as said information to said printer environment determining section of the computer, said printer further including an emulation judging section which judges one of said emulations corresponding to said selected one of said printer drivers, and an emulation section which processes said image data according to said judged one of said emulations for printing.

7. The printing system according toclaim 6, wherein said computer environment determining section comprises a computer free memory size determining section which determines a free memory size of said computer for storing therein the image data, and said printer environment determining section comprises a printer free memory size determining section which determines a free memory size of said printer based on the information sent from said printer wherein said printer driver selecting section compares a size of the image data and the free memory sizes of said computer and said printer to select one of said printer drivers based on the result of the comparison, and wherein said printer environment measuring section comprises a printer free memory size measuring section which measures a free memory size of said printer for storing therein the image data and notifies it as said information to said printer free memory size determining section of the computer.

8. The printing system according toclaim 7, wherein the number of said printer drivers is at least two, wherein according to one of said printer drivers, the printing system is controlled such that one-page image data is sent from the computer to the printer, then the printer implements bit-mapping of the received image data for printing, and wherein according to the other printer driver, the printing system is controlled such that bit-mapped image data is sent from the computer to the printer which implements printing in parallel with receiving the bit-mapped image data from the computer.

9. The printing system according toclaim 6, wherein said computer environment determining section comprises a computer data transfer speed determining section which determines a data transfer speed when the image data is transferred from said computer to said printer, and said printer environment determining section comprises a printer free memory size determining section which determines a free memory size of said printer based on the information sent from said printer, wherein said printer driver selecting section makes a comparison based on a size of the image data, the free memory size of said printer and said data transfer speed to select one of said printer drivers based on the result of the comparison, and wherein said printer environment measuring section comprises a printer free memory size measuring section which measures a free memory size of said printer for storing therein the image data and notifies it as said information to said printer free memory size determining section of the computer.

10. The printing system according toclaim 9, wherein the number of said printer drivers is at least two, wherein according to one of said printer drivers, the printing system is controlled such that one-page image data is sent from the computer to the printer, then the printer implements bit-mapping of the received image data for printing, and wherein according to the other printer driver, the printing system is controlled such that bit-mapped image data is sent from the computer to the printer which implements printing in parallel with receiving the bit-mapped image data from the computer.

11. The printing system according toclaim 6, wherein said computer environment determining section comprises a computer drawing capability determining section which determines a drawing speed of said computer upon drawing the image data, and said printer environment determining section comprises a printer drawing capability determining section which determines a drawing speed of said printer based on the information sent from said printer, wherein said printer driver selecting section compares the drawing speed of said computer and the drawing speed of said printer to select one of said printer drivers based on the result of the comparison, and wherein said printer environment measuring section comprises a printer drawing speed measuring section which measures a drawing speed of said printer upon drawing the image data and notifies it as said information to said printer drawing capability determining section of the computer.

12. The printing system according toclaim 11, wherein the number of said printer drivers is at least two, wherein according to one of said printer drivers, the printing system is controlled such that one-page image data is sent from the computer to the printer, then the printer implements bit-mapping of the received image data for printing, and wherein according to the other printer driver, the printing system is controlled such that bit-mapped image data is sent from the computer to the printer which implements printing in parallel with receiving the bit-mapped image data from the computer.

13. The printing system according toclaim 6, wherein said computer environment determining section comprises an intermediate metafile analyzing section which derives an evaluation size of an intermediate metafile of the image data, and said printer environment determining section comprises a printer free memory size determining section which determines a free memory size of said printer based on the information sent from said printer, wherein said printer driver selecting section compares the evaluation size of said intermediate metafile and the free memory size of said printer to select one of said printer drivers based on the result of the comparison, and wherein said printer environment measuring section comprises a printer free memory size measuring section which measures a free memory size of said printer for storing therein the image data and notifies it as said information to said printer free memory size determining section of the computer.

14. The printing system according toclaim 13, wherein the number of said printer drivers is at least two, wherein according to one of said printer drivers, the printing system is controlled such that one-page image data is sent from the computer to the printer, then the printer implements bit-mapping of the received image data for printing, and wherein according to the other printer driver, the printing system is controlled such that bit-mapped image data is sent from the computer to the printer which implements printing in parallel with receiving the bit-mapped image data from the computer.

15-17. (canceled)

18. A printing system comprising:

a computer and a printer, said computer including a plurality of printer drivers respectively corresponding to different emulations;

an intermediate metafile generating section which generates an intermediate metafile from image data;

an intermediate metafile analyzing section which analyzes an evaluation size of the generated intermediate metafile; and

a printer driver selecting section which selects one of said plurality of printer drivers on the basis of the analyzed evaluation size and a free memory size of said printer, wherein

said computer processes said image data by using the selected printer driver and sends the processed image data to said printer;

said printer includes an emulation judging section which judges said emulation corresponding to the selected printer driver; and

said printer receives the processed image data from said computer, and processes the received data by using the judged emulation.

Images